How to seal gaps between logs - consider traditional materials
When it comes to finishing joints between a beam or a log, only literature will not be enough, as a dozen books will provide for your consideration as many versions of caulking. Of course, deliberately false information on the pages of the reference books is rare, but this still happens, and it is difficult to identify it among other data.
The most reliable advice on how to seal cracks between logs, will only give an experienced master, or at least a person who has tried in practice what he says. And, interestingly, many agree that moss is one of the most effective materials for caulking. Often, on the outskirts of the marshes, you can see a whole carpet of sphagnum, which, while still wet, is easily stuffed into the junctions between the wreaths.
Qualitative can be called only such a caulk, in which a sharp awl enters the gap between the logs no less severely than in the wood.
A more common and equally eco-friendly way to seal cracks is to fill them with a paste, coated with gypsum or cement mortar, or simply tamper with this affordable consumable without any additives. Instead, you can use hemp or jute fiber. The difference between hemp and stick is insignificant - the first is a derivative of flax, less often cannabis, the latter is obtained only from hemp.
These materials were used by our ancestors, so today they will prove themselves no worse. The only thing that can create inconvenience, is if you suddenly need to cut a new window or make another opening for the window, it will be difficult to use the chainsaw - the tow and hemp slaughter the chain and stupid it.
Modern logging for logs
In addition to the natural materials for sealing seams between the crowns of the log( some of which do not even need to be bought, it's enough to go into the woods or to the swamp) modern industry can offer a lot of synthetic. It is no longer necessary to speak about the ecological compatibility here, however, reliability is definitely observed, that it is actually required from such putties.
Some "experts" advise using a silicone sealant, but such a method of sealing seams will only exacerbate the situation, since wood is used to absorb moisture, and if it somewhere will evaporate worse, there is almost certainly rot.
In the stores you can find a lot of special sealants based on polyurethane, which are not afraid of ultraviolet and temperature changes. Such a putty for logs is suitable for filling joints both outside and inside the log house. Do not use polyurethane sealants in cylinders, as they mostly "dislike" the sun's rays of .
It is important to know: to seal the seams, a sufficiently elastic material is needed, since the wooden house "breathes", it absorbs moisture and releases it, heats up and cools, due to all these factors there is an insignificant but constant shift of logs. Under such conditions, the same mounting foam will simply burst after a few months.
How is caulking done and laying between logs?
Before you seal the seams between the logs, think about what will be under your putty. The fact is that it is irrational and uneconomical to completely clog the cracks with sealants, since they can turn out to be quite deep, and there are usually at least 40 joints in the suture.
Therefore, you should immediately make a decision whether you use a natural filler or a synthetic one. Natural materials for caulking we mentioned above, as for artificial caulks, many masters agree that it is best to use a cord made of foamed polyethylene, it can be of different diameters, can be selected for the width of the slots.
Having scored with the maximum density of the seams, we begin to cover the caulk with the sealant. First, glue adhesive tape on both sides of the slit so as not to soil all the log with putty. If you used a felt pad between logs when laying logs or logs( some recommend moss as such a layer, it is better not to use glass wool), fill the slits with air-permeable material, such as a tow.
Now with regard to the coating itself: you can make it with your fingers, but it will be ugly, it is better to use a special rubber spatula for seams, which is successfully used when applying tile grout. To finally close the joints, you can pin the strips that perfectly fit into the overall design of the frame.